Winter is one of the most common times to get sick with a cold or influenza, but there are ways to avoid this problem. Here are some of the best tips for remaining healthier this winter.
Get Your Immunizations for Influenza and Other Conditions
Visit your physician or a local pharmacy to get your immunizations for influenza, shingles or pneumonia. If you had chickenpox as a child, then you are at risk of having shingles, and also, this is a painful or dangerous condition for some individuals, leading to complications that may require hospitalization. You should get a new influenza vaccination each year to avoid having this illness that causes fever, chills and nausea. Pneumonia vaccinations are recommended for older adults, and it is also possible to receive a measles vaccination.
Following Proper Sanitation Guidelines
If you want to stay healthier during the winter, then cleanliness is vital. You should wash your hands frequently with soap and warm water along with keeping your home cleaner. Focus on keeping the bathrooms and kitchens cleaner because this is where most of the pathogens are in a home. While out in the public, avoid touching dirty objects, or you can bring along a container of wipes to clean items that have been touched. To avoid contracting an illness, stay away from anyone who is coughing or sneezing.
Maintaining Your Home’s Climate-control Equipment
It is essential to maintain your home’s climate-control equipment throughout the winter. In addition to cleaning your home’s air ducts and changing the air filters in the furnace, you should request professional HVAC repair. Check your home’s baseboard heaters and furnace in the autumn to confirm that the devices are working optimally before the temperatures begin to drop.
Consume a Nutritious Diet
During the winter, it may seem difficult to consume a nutritious diet of fresh fruits and vegetables. It is often difficult to find these foods, and the foods are frequently expensive. Fortunately, you can still find frozen or canned vegetables and fruits that are less expensive and easy to store in a freezer or a kitchen’s cupboard.
When people think of food they are often given when they are sick a type of soup or tea comes to mind. This isn’t just some random coincidence. It turns out that grandmothers have their own holistic wisdom. When you have a common cold and are congested it is hard to breathe or even blow your nose. The warmth of the soup or tea helps clear out the sinuses. Chicken noodle is a favorite because it’s mostly stock and easy to digest with an upset stomach. Add some turmeric or ginger to your soup to get more anti-inflammatory ingredients to help get you back on your feet.
Don’t Forget to Exercise Several Times a Week
It is a good idea to exercise several times a week, but you may need to do this inside because the weather isn’t conducive for outdoor physical activity. However, you can exercise at home by having a yoga routine, performing calisthenics or using an elliptical machine. If you don’t have any machines go ahead and follow a YouTube workout routine on your smart TV or device. You can Zumba, yoga, dance, or weightlift with a pro. Whatever you do, remember to keep your body moving.
